Stanley Baldwin

Stanley Baldwin

1. Foreign Policy

   • Relations with the Soviet deteriorated, Spy scandal
     • A. Chamberlain: Locano Treaty 1925 with Gustav Stresemann and Briand
       • Germany in League of Nations in 1926, "Locano Spirit"
         • Nobel Peace Prize for Chamberlain, Stresemann and Briand
       • Although, not a big success: Germany still ignored ToV
   • Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928, 65 Nations signed the pact, denouncing future wars

2. Domestic Policy

   • 25 Bills, 21 Enacted: drawn up by N. Chamberlain
     • Pensions reduced to 65 year olds, 10s a week (1925); Unemployment Insurance reformed in 1927 could be claimed indefinitely; Local Government Act 1929-- gave local authorities responsibilities over roads, public health, maternity and child welfare
   • Electricity nationalised in 1926, modern stations built and national grid established
   • BBC nationalised in 1927
   • Extension of the franchise in 1928, vote to females over 21, electorate increases to 29 million

3. Economy

   • Exports, still declining since end of war, therefore 10-15% unemployed, anyway
   • Overproduction in industry after WWI, e.g. 50% rise in steel during war, was no longer needed
   • Staples less competitive, old and outdated
   • Germany giving Italy and France free coal as part of reparations
   • Geddes Axe deepened unemployment
   • 10% overvaluation of the pound, when Churchill returned Britain to the Gold Standard
   • Cyclical slumps in 1921 (LG) and 1929 (after the Wall Street Crash) pushed unemployment above 2 million
   • Canned good, chemicals, vehicles and electrical goods were growing -- good for the economy
   • Motor vehicle production increased threefold what it had been in 1913
   • Between 23 and 29, overall growth in economy faster than pre-1914
   • Around 1 million jobs created in the rise of the service sector

4. General Strike 1925 to 1926

   • Strike planned for 31 July 1925 but delayed by Samuel Commission
   • May 1 1926, negotiations, May 2 Daily Mail refusal to print, May 3 strike begins
   • Strike lasts 9 days, Miners continue for 7 months, but lose
   • Trade Disputes Act 1927

5. 1927 Arcos Affair

   • All Russian Cooperative Society
     • Dealt with Anglo-Russian trade, established in 1920
   • Late 1920 and 1927 -- around £100 million in trade
     • May 12 1927 Police raided the Arcos Offices because Baldwin thought Russia was using it to spy on Britain, nothing found, ended trade.

6. Ministers

   • A. Chamberlain -- F. Sec, N. Chamberlain, M of Health, Churchill, C of E